Seasonal and Temperature Adjustment Models of Pavement Properties from Seismic Nondestructive Evaluation

New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) initiated a study with an objective to calibrate the AASHTO seasonal and temperature adjustment models, or to develop new ones that will take into consideration New Jersey specific environmental conditions. To achieve the objective, twenty-four pavement sections were instrumented to monitor pavement temperature and moisture, frost/heave penetration depth, rainfall and air temperature. A nondestructive testing (NDT) program was conducted on these sections for a period of two years. Seismic Pavement Analyzer (SPA) and Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD) were used to evaluate the pavement structural response and pavement properties (elastic moduli) on a monthly basis. From the collected environmental and NDT data, temperature and seasonal models were developed through statistical analyses, such as analysis of variance (ANOVA) and regression analysis. The scope of the project is presented and pavement evaluations using SPA are discussed. Correlation of pavement layer moduli to environmental variables from three seismic tests: Ultrasonic Surface Wave, Impulse Response, and Spectral Analysis of Surface Waves are presented, and observed trends are discussed.